18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 375

Joining the military meant grueling training every single day. It was tough, no doubt, but as bona fide members of the Phoenix Project, we had our perks-food, shelter, and clothing were all provided.

Stella could see the worry etched on her friends' faces. With a wry smile, she said, "Jasper's still recovering from his injuries, and I was sick not too long ago. It's a miracle I even made it into the base. Plus, with Rosie and Cooper to look after, enlisting or doing manual labor isn't realistic. I'll give scavenging a shot, and if that doesn't pan out, we'll figure something else out."

Every family has its own set of challenges. Noticing their reluctance to join the military, Cody didn't push them. "Alright, as long as you've thought it through."

After some casual chit-chat, Cody got up to leave. "Stella, Jasper, we've got more training tonight, so we better head back."

Stella wanted to invite them to stay for dinner.

Cody and the others shook their heads. "We've got our meals and accommodations sorted at the mess hall. We ate before we came."

Stella walked them to the door. "Drop by whenever you can."

Angela stepped forward for a hug. "Take care of yourself, Stella, and let us know if you need anything."

Stella smiled, "Will do."

After saying their goodbyes and closing the door, Stella sat down to digest the conversation. Then she declared, "We need to get ourselves a submarine."

Sure, Arcadia had yachts and cruise ships, but if tectonic plate collisions got worse, a massive tsunami would be inevitable, and those vessels wouldn't stand a chance. The submarines used by the military for the Phoenix Project, however, were reliable.

You can never have too many escape options. Stella wished she could fill Arcadia to the brim with them.

Jasper did the math. "The rare metals we've stockpiled should be more than enough to trade for a sub."

They had been hoarding with the intention of bartering, and now, if these metals could be put to good use and they could acquire an escape vessel, why not?

But it had been nine years, and scavengers had turned the earth upside down searching for such metals; they couldn't be too cavalier about using them.

After dinner, instructing the kids to get some early rest, Stella and Jasper headed into Arcadia.

The containers they stored had to look the part-rusty and worn wasn't enough. They hammered and pounded them into deformity, hastening the rusting and dulling to fake the illusion of being long buried by earthquakes. Faking it wasn't a one-day job.

But as new scavengers, they couldn't just show up with rare metals and trade for a sub without raising suspicions.

where they traded tobacco and liquor for a

scavenging wasn't the plan, especially with the harsh conditions outside the base's protective range, where they could

the local terrain and find a secure transfer

searched, they eventually made their way

area, far from the city and off the beaten path of the base, was even more desolate than when they had last visited in

sake, Stella decided it was time to bring out the big

They rested at the foot of the mountain for a day before getting acquainted with Lincoln. Old habits die hard; they drove with

it, they encountered

out on the ground, the other two gearing up for

would

up a cloud of dust reminiscent of a

the rumbling engine of their behemoth vehicle passed by, the scavengers were so stunned they

"Holy cow, that's badass!"

defeated bodies, a bloodied, dirt-covered figure suddenly leaped up, chasing after them and screaming hysterically,

the car thief had

car, his pride

engine drowned out the man's

them in the rearview mirror, seemingly having run out

slightly. "Looks

taken

logically

was skeptical. "Are you

down, allowing her to see for

was a ragged beggar, covered

image... ugh, it did

meters without giving up, even losing his shoes in the

intently-it really did look like that spoiled brat from the Porras

when I finally got to show off my ride,

"Faster, faster,

still had a shred of decency; they couldn't

the vehicle sped along the post-apocalyptic

as Bran's figure grew smaller in the rearview mirror until it was just a dot, and then even that dot

have to stay hidden. Her good mood was ruined, and she couldn't help but grumble, "Why